Report: Twins offered Buxton extension, trade likely without deal

The Minnesota Twins have offered outfielder Byron Buxton a long-term contract extension worth more than $70 million, sources told Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic.

If an agreement isn't reached, the Twins will likely trade the star outfielder by the July 30 trade deadline or in the offseason, per Rosenthal.

The offer also reportedly includes escalators and incentives that would increase the total value of the proposed deal.

Buxton is slated to reach free agency after the 2022 season.

Buxton, 27, is currently on the injured list with a fractured left hand. He sustained the injury after being hit by a pitch in late June just three games after being reinstated from his previous IL stint.

The oft-injured Buxton appeared to be on his way to a true breakout campaign before he was sidelined by a hip ailment. He's batting .369/.409/.767 with 10 home runs, 19 RBIs, and five stolen bases over just 27 games while also playing electrifying defense in center field.

The former second overall selection in the 2012 MLB Draft has the tools to be one of baseball's best players when he's healthy, but he's played more than 100 contests in a season just once in his seven-year career.

The disappointing Twins sit in fourth place in the AL Central with a 39-50 record and appear destined to be sellers at the trade deadline in two weeks. While moving Buxton is apparently a possibility, he'd likely command a massive return despite his injury history.

In addition to Buxton, Nelson Cruz, Jose Berrios, Josh Donaldson, and Andrelton Simmons are among Minnesota players whose names have already popped up in trade rumors this season.